Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
thanks!
it'll be a lefty Century Standard Plus 5
Mahogany Body/Cocobolo Top
Pau Ferro fretboard
Black Hardware
Stock Bart Electronics with special pickup placement.
it'll be a lefty Century Standard Plus 5
Mahogany Body/Cocobolo Top
Pau Ferro fretboard
Black Hardware
Stock Bart Electronics with special pickup placement.
I did some surgery on my CS4+PJ tonight and installed EMG PAX and LJVX pickups. The controls are vol/vol/tone and stacked bass/treble (OBP-1). The switch bypasses the preamp. The EMG solderless system was surprisingly pleasant to work with and set up really nicely inside.
This bass sounded amazing already with the Aguilar AG-V setup as it came to me, but I already have a "vintage" sounding PJ and wanted some contrast while still taking advantage of how great this bass sounds acoustically. I would say it was successful - lots of "modern" tones but still a good range from warm to the brighter tones people associate EMGs with. No lack of variety in tones here, and not "sterile" as some feel EMGs are (IMO the PA/PAX are way different animals than the traditional P/PX models).
This bass sounded amazing already with the Aguilar AG-V setup as it came to me, but I already have a "vintage" sounding PJ and wanted some contrast while still taking advantage of how great this bass sounds acoustically. I would say it was successful - lots of "modern" tones but still a good range from warm to the brighter tones people associate EMGs with. No lack of variety in tones here, and not "sterile" as some feel EMGs are (IMO the PA/PAX are way different animals than the traditional P/PX models).
So i received my custom roscoe yesterday.
Here are the specs -
LG 3005
30 inch scale
16.5mm spacing at bridge
Alder Body with quilted maple top
The neck is maple with wenge in the middle.
Bartolini Jazz pickups in jazz location( or close to it on a 30 inch scale)
Aguilar Obp1 pre amp with volume, blend, bass/treble stack, active/passive tone control.
My goal with this build was to have my one bass for everything. I have had hand issues so I went for a small neck.
I've been gigging a mustang for a while so I'm used to short scales.
Here are my thoughts so far-
I played it yesterday for 3-4 hours straight gettin used to the feel, controls, sounds, nuances, etc. I saw some things I was very pleased with and some things I was unsure of. The big questions for me on short scales are the sustain and tone on the e string and especially the b string. The E string was great. MUCH better than my mustang. At first the b was kind of floppy with fret noise. It was also VeRY low at the bridge. I raised it and problem solved. It's still not as impressive as a regular roscoe b string but in my opinion it's going to do everything I need. And do it well. The low b sounds good, just not your typical roscoe low b.
I could get a slap tone that I like, an r&b tone I like, and a trebbly rock tone I like.
One of the biggest things I like in a bass is when I can play finger style and switch to slap mid song, without changing settings, and the bass still cuts. It's useful for bass lines like the one in "got to be real". This bass does that very well. Not all basses can do that easily. IME.
Today I played with it 2 more hours and then took it for its big test in a band setting. The University of Florida gospel choir. The director there is very picky on everyone's tone. I've brought three other basses before and none really cut it. One was close. He tells me " cut highs", "more bass", "less this or that". I wasn't sure how the bass would hold up. Well... The roscoe KILLED IT. As soon as he heard it he said " give me more highs" and then he was very happy. All smiles. It is now the UF gospel bass. The low B did its job very well. In gospel the b can used quite often and I had to sustain low d, c etc. It sustained the low b notes very well. The 30 inch had no problems at all. In fact another musician came up afterwards and said " THAT is the gospel tone". I'd bet there's not a lot of short scales being used in gospel. I think roscoe should take it as a big compliment. These are picky dudes with specific tastes.
I'm very pleased with the bass.
More gigs this weekend with a cover band will give me a better idea of how it's different tones hold up in a live band.
Stoked...
Here are the specs -
LG 3005
30 inch scale
16.5mm spacing at bridge
Alder Body with quilted maple top
The neck is maple with wenge in the middle.
Bartolini Jazz pickups in jazz location( or close to it on a 30 inch scale)
Aguilar Obp1 pre amp with volume, blend, bass/treble stack, active/passive tone control.
My goal with this build was to have my one bass for everything. I have had hand issues so I went for a small neck.
I've been gigging a mustang for a while so I'm used to short scales.
Here are my thoughts so far-
I played it yesterday for 3-4 hours straight gettin used to the feel, controls, sounds, nuances, etc. I saw some things I was very pleased with and some things I was unsure of. The big questions for me on short scales are the sustain and tone on the e string and especially the b string. The E string was great. MUCH better than my mustang. At first the b was kind of floppy with fret noise. It was also VeRY low at the bridge. I raised it and problem solved. It's still not as impressive as a regular roscoe b string but in my opinion it's going to do everything I need. And do it well. The low b sounds good, just not your typical roscoe low b.
I could get a slap tone that I like, an r&b tone I like, and a trebbly rock tone I like.
One of the biggest things I like in a bass is when I can play finger style and switch to slap mid song, without changing settings, and the bass still cuts. It's useful for bass lines like the one in "got to be real". This bass does that very well. Not all basses can do that easily. IME.
Today I played with it 2 more hours and then took it for its big test in a band setting. The University of Florida gospel choir. The director there is very picky on everyone's tone. I've brought three other basses before and none really cut it. One was close. He tells me " cut highs", "more bass", "less this or that". I wasn't sure how the bass would hold up. Well... The roscoe KILLED IT. As soon as he heard it he said " give me more highs" and then he was very happy. All smiles. It is now the UF gospel bass. The low B did its job very well. In gospel the b can used quite often and I had to sustain low d, c etc. It sustained the low b notes very well. The 30 inch had no problems at all. In fact another musician came up afterwards and said " THAT is the gospel tone". I'd bet there's not a lot of short scales being used in gospel. I think roscoe should take it as a big compliment. These are picky dudes with specific tastes.
I'm very pleased with the bass.
More gigs this weekend with a cover band will give me a better idea of how it's different tones hold up in a live band.
Stoked...
Awesome Keith! Really glad that it past the gig test.
It sounds like all of your careful planning on the build paid off!
It's always great when a plan comes together and actually works!
I can't wait to see and play it at the GTG!
It sounds like all of your careful planning on the build paid off!
It's always great when a plan comes together and actually works!
I can't wait to see and play it at the GTG!
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Hey J2KBass
Congrats on the bass - I have two medium scales Roscoe basses, and I don't think Keith has made but a handful of non-long scales.
I have no idea what string gauges Keith furnished for you - but I have found that if you go to the D'Addario string tension chart here (http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf) you can more than likely improve your B string. Just find the tension of the B string that you like on a long scale bass and match the tension with that short scale version of the string. Frankly, I use long scale strings on all of my medium scales with no ill effects whatsoever, but you may have winding problems doing this on a short scale. When you find the tension that you like pick out a string that pulls the same tension in a short scale version of the string and problem solved. Of course, if the gauge is slightly bigger you may want to consider moving the entire set up in gauge to match the feel. Don't forget to check the setup after installation, as the tension will affect the truss rod, the action and possibly the intonation.
Works like a charm, and you will not notice any difference in feel between your bass and a long scale bass - strings will not feel loose or "floppy". They will be perfect.
Best of luck - the bass is a honey and congrats on the acceptance of the bass at one of your prime gigs!
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
Congrats on the bass - I have two medium scales Roscoe basses, and I don't think Keith has made but a handful of non-long scales.
I have no idea what string gauges Keith furnished for you - but I have found that if you go to the D'Addario string tension chart here (http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf) you can more than likely improve your B string. Just find the tension of the B string that you like on a long scale bass and match the tension with that short scale version of the string. Frankly, I use long scale strings on all of my medium scales with no ill effects whatsoever, but you may have winding problems doing this on a short scale. When you find the tension that you like pick out a string that pulls the same tension in a short scale version of the string and problem solved. Of course, if the gauge is slightly bigger you may want to consider moving the entire set up in gauge to match the feel. Don't forget to check the setup after installation, as the tension will affect the truss rod, the action and possibly the intonation.
Works like a charm, and you will not notice any difference in feel between your bass and a long scale bass - strings will not feel loose or "floppy". They will be perfect.
Best of luck - the bass is a honey and congrats on the acceptance of the bass at one of your prime gigs!
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
Wow! He sent you a body blank? Usually they wait until it's finished before they ship it out.
That's not far from the truth Joe! I'm really pleased with all of them and its great to have "one of each" kind of sound, or at least my version of it.
This one is going to be special. Think Jon's "Monkeyman" with a bit of a different look. The finish is going to be charcoal burst like this one, only gloss: Link Removed
This one is going to be special. Think Jon's "Monkeyman" with a bit of a different look. The finish is going to be charcoal burst like this one, only gloss: Link Removed
Roscoe short scale update -
Rehearsed with the gospel band tonight and had to do a lot of transitioning from slapping to finger playing. The slapping tone is KILLER. I love it. Sits well in the mix.
Afterward I had a 4 hour cover gig. A bunch of radio stuff from multiple decades and the bass once again help up very well.
At this point I'm ecstatic to have this bass. It weighs 8 lbs( awesome for the shoulder), looks great, and sounds great.
And - after playing it more in a live band situation, The low b is better then I could have imagined. It's very authoritative in the mix.
Thanks Gard and everyone at Roscoe.
Rehearsed with the gospel band tonight and had to do a lot of transitioning from slapping to finger playing. The slapping tone is KILLER. I love it. Sits well in the mix.
Afterward I had a 4 hour cover gig. A bunch of radio stuff from multiple decades and the bass once again help up very well.
At this point I'm ecstatic to have this bass. It weighs 8 lbs( awesome for the shoulder), looks great, and sounds great.
And - after playing it more in a live band situation, The low b is better then I could have imagined. It's very authoritative in the mix.
Thanks Gard and everyone at Roscoe.
Great news Keith! I'm sure that after all the planning and the long wait your relieved that it was all worthwhile.
I can't wait to check it out ...... in one week!
Now that's a term that you never hear in the world of Roscoe!
I can't wait to check it out ...... in one week!
Now that's a term that you never hear in the world of Roscoe!
Thanks Joe. I'm very thankful that my idea worked out the way I wanted. Awesome bass.
ONE WEEK! HA!
Well, UPS said the Century Custom was "out for delivery" at 5:31 this morning, and it was delivered at 6:00 p.m.
This was a long day !!!
Showed up without a scratch. Fit & finish are unbelievable, plays like a dream, the tone and sound are awesome (I'm now officially a fan of the mahogany/wenge combination), and the looks speak for themselves.
The guys in North Carolina hit this one completely out of the park.
This was a long day !!!
Showed up without a scratch. Fit & finish are unbelievable, plays like a dream, the tone and sound are awesome (I'm now officially a fan of the mahogany/wenge combination), and the looks speak for themselves.
The guys in North Carolina hit this one completely out of the park.
Attachments
Can't wait to hear some sound samples of that one. It looks like chocolatey goodness.
What are the specs on that one?
What's the weight?
got the confirmation from Greg this morning that my order is in. now all there is to do is wait.
